Judith Lang

Judith Anne "Judy" Lang, 71, of Whitewater and formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Friday, July 3, 2020, at her home.

She was born July 1, 1949, in Chicago to Peter and Ruth Dragunas Jenkins. She and Roger Warren Lang were married Oct. 4, 1997.

Judy graduated from Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois. On Sept. 17, 1977, she married her first husband, Philip Ventrella, who passed away in 1992. She and Phil relocated to Cape Girardeau and had one daughter, Vicki Ventrella-Meyer.

Judy had a talent for sewing and needlecraft and made custom draperies most of her life. She was also employed at various businesses: First Federal Bank, Otahki Girl Scout Council, Famous Barr and RM Coco, among others.

Retail ran in her blood, and for approximately six years she owned and operated Judith Anne's Gift Shop in downtown Cape Girardeau. When her store closed in 2001, she joined Roger at Lang's Jewelers until their retirement in 2013. Judy was the original board president and one of the founders of the Old Town Cape organization, and a proud member of the Downtown Merchants Association. She created and designed the first annual downtown Cape Girardeau ornament.

Judy enjoyed golf, fishing, her Bunko group, and volunteered at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. She was a member of the Elks and participated at both the Jackson and Cape Girardeau lodges.

Judy was incredibly creative and a thoughtful, doting mother and grandmother. She was strong and driven, but she cared deeply for her friends and family.

Judy is survived by her husband, Roger Lang; daughter, Vicki (Clint) Ventrella-Meyer of St. Ann, Missouri; granddaughter, Aubrey Meyer; stepdaughter, Erika Lang of Cape Girardeau; sister, Barb Josetti of Denver; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Phil Ventrella; and brother, Richard Jenkins.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Please wear a mask if attending.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Stan Hargis officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. Please memo "Cape Nature Center" to ensure the contribution reaches the appropriate organization.